Silver flat-ware case



Jan. 3, 1956 M. PENTLAND ET AL SILVER FLAT-WARE CASE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 23, 1951 1NVENTOR.$

MARY PENTIAND EDWIN B. BANNER d j i finale/v5).

Jan. 3. 1956 M.PENTLAND ETAL SILVER FLAT-WARE CASE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 23. 1951 *1 4a INVENTORS l I qTTORA/EY,

MARY PE/VTLA/VD Jan. 3, 1956 M. PENTLAND ET AL 2,729,253

SILVER FLAT-WARE CASE Filed May 23, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN 'I'ORS MARY PENTLAND BY EDWIN a. a4 NNER Jan. 3. 1956 M. PENTLAND ET AL SILVER FLAT-WARE CASE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 23, 1951 EDW/N B BANNER a: r1 7a I 45 firm/8N5 INVENTOR MARY PENTLAND Jan. 3, 1956 M. PENTLAND ET AL SILVER FLAT-WARE CASE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 23, 1951 INVENTOR.

MARY PENTLAND BY EDWIN 8. BANNER 01 Hr oR/wsv ivivmwgvgvr 4% 'i'i'mw United States Patent SILVER FLAT-WARE CASE Mary Pentland, New York, N. Y., and Edwin B. Banner, Haddonfield, N. J., assignors, by mesne assignments, to Reeve & Mitchell Mfg. (30., Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application May 23, 1951, Serial No. 227,856 9 Claims. (Cl. 150-52 The present invention relates to a new and useful silver flatware case, and it relates more particularly to a silver flatware case, for use in the home, wherein multiple place-settings may be conveniently stored and retained when not in use.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a silver flatware case for domestic use, in which four, six, eight, ten or twelve place-settings may be stored and encased, and which will be collapsible when empty or partly empty and will expand to accommodate the increasing contents thereof.

Another object is to provide such a silver flatware case which will give convenient and ready access to its con tents and maintain the contents in a tarnish-free condition and prevent the scratching and abrasion of the silverware.

With the above objects in view, together with other objects which will appear more fully from the following description and accompanying drawings, the present invention contemplates a flexible multi-compartmented or multi-partitioned expansible and collapsible case, whose partitions are of gradually varying height; and one which will stand up on its base, with the partitions in a vertical position, and with a closure-flap extending from the highest and rearmost portion of the case, over the tops of all the partitions and down over the front and overlapping the front of the case; the partitions being relatively formretaining, and having individual vertical pockets of flexible material carried on the face of each partition and of a height somewhat less than the height of the partition, and preferably having flaps extending from the top of each partition down over and slightly overlapping the uppermost marginal zones of the pockets on the face of such partition.

The present invention further contemplates the use of tarnish-inhibiting pockets and flaps and in addition thereto, or alternative thereto, forming such pockets and/or the flaps of transparent, flexible material, which may also contain a tarnish-inhibiting ingredient or coating.

Upon the upper marginal portions of the flaps which overlap the rows of pockets on each partition and/or upon the top marginal portions of the partitions themselves, the name of the particular item may be imprinted, as for instance knives, forks, teaspoons etc.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the accompanying drawings forms thereof which are at present preferred, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which the invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and organizations of the instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

In the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters indicate like parts,

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a silver flatware case embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 represents a perspective view of the silver flatware case of Figure 1, shown in the open position.

Figure 3 also represents a perspective view of the silver flatware case of Figure 2 with the individual partitionfiaps raised up into the position in which they would be held by one hand while removing or inserting silver flatware into the pockets of the particular partition (of course, not all flaps would be up-standing at one time, in normal use).

Figure 4 represents a fore-and-aft vertical cross-sectional view of the silver flatware case of the present invention, taken generally on line 4--4 of Figure 6.

Figure 4a represents an enlarged fragmentary crosssection of the gusset bottom of the case of Figure 4.

Figure 4b represents an enlarged fragmentary crosssection of the forward wall of the case of Figure 4.

Figure 5 represents a cross-sectional view on line 55 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 represents a front elevational view of the silver flatware case of the present invention, with the main cover-flap broken away.

Figure 7 represents a cross-sectional view similar to that shown in Figure 4, with form-retaining partitions which are also aligned and which are provided on both faces thereof with a tarnish-inhibiting or non-tarnish flannel or other flexible lining or surfacing material.

Figure 7a represents an enlarged fragmentary crosssection of one of the partitions of the case of Figure 7.

. Figure 8 represents a cross-sectional view on line 88 of Figure 7, similar to that shown in Figure 5, but of the embodiment shown in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the gusset sides of the case of Figures 7 and 8.

Figure 10 represents a vertical cross-sectional view similar to that shown in Figures 4 and 7, but showing a further modified embodiment of the present invention, in which the form-retaining partition is replaced by a peripheral frame defining such partition, from which and on which the flexible item-receiving pockets are hung or stretched or suspended.

Figure 10a represents an enlarged fragmentary crosssection of the gusset bottom of the case of Figure 10.

Figure ll represents a section similar to that shown in Figures 5 and 8, but representing the embodiment shown in Figure 10 taken along line 1111 of Figure 10.

Figure 12 represents a fragmentary detailed view of one of the partitions having a frame construction which forms a part of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 10 and 11.

As shown in Figures 1-6, the silver flatware case of the present invention comprises generally a multi-conipartmented or partitioned collapsible and expansible case having a relatively form-retaining rear wall designated generally by the numeral 21, and a similar, though lower, front wall designated generally by the numeral 22, a series of relatively form-retaining partitions 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27, of graduated height, and iii-folded vertical side gussets 23 and 29 and bottom gusset 30 connecting the front and back and the partitions, and permanently secured thereto by stitching or adhesive means or welding or fusing.

The front and back, 22 and 21, are either made of a single sheet of relatively form-retaining material such as hard-pressed thin cardboard or fibre board or plastic material, or they may be made of an inner form-retaining ply or sheet 31 and 32, covered on the outside with outer sheeting material 33 and 34 and the inner lining material 35 and 36.

The in-turned gussets 28, 29 and 30 are preferably formed in continuation of each other, of a single sheet of flexible material, which is preferably the same as or the same kind of material as the outer material 33 and 34. If desired, the gusseting may be eliminated at the bottom of the case, by simply extending the outer covering material 31 around the bottom and up the front, so that the outer covering material at the back, at the bottom and at the front are one integral piece, or formed generally in continuation of each other, serving to create a flat bottom, to which the lower edges of the side gussets 28 and 29 may be sewn or fused or adhesively secured. On the other hand, however, the gussets 23, 29 and 30 may be formed of a single piece of material or in direct continuation of each other, and sewn to the front and to the back of the case.

The cover flap 37 may be formed of the outer and inner linings 33 and 35, united along their peripheral edges by merrow-stitching or overlooking stitching 33, and provided with the female portions or socket portions of the snap fasteners 39a or the locking means whose complementary portions 39 are secured on the front wall 22, in registration therewith.

If desired, however, instead of a merrow or overlocking stitching 38, the edges of the outer and inner linings 33 and 35 may be merely in-turned, and then sewn or stitched through the registering in-turned peripheral edge portions, by a single line of stitching.

The partitions 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27, as well as the front 22 and back 21 may be sewn with line of stitching 38a or fused into the side and bottom gussets or to the side gussets and the bottom, in the manner indicated generally in Figures 4, 4a and 5.

To the inner or front face of the back 21 and to the front face of each of the partitions 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27, flexible walls 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 and 45 are secured by lines of stitching 46, or by other suitable means such as lines of fusing or adhesive lines thereby forming pockets between the Walls and the partitions; said Walls being of relatively thin, flexible material and being preferably formed of tarnish-inhibiting or non-tarnishing material or material impregnated or coated with a tarnish-inhibiting material. Each wall also is of a height substantially lower or less than the height of its corresponding partition, so as to expose a substantial part of the upper terminal portions of the items inserted in the pockets formed with the wall.

Flaps 47, 48, 49, 50, 51 and 52, of a thin, flexible ma terial similar to that of which the pockets are formed, are applied to the upper edge of the marginal zone of each partition and to the back 21 at a point approximately at the top of the side-gusset. Each flap is adapted to be folded down over its particular partition and over the items within the pockets thereon, and to an extent somewhat overlapping the upper portion of its corresponding wall, so as to completely encase the items in the pockets. These flaps may be formed of a flexible transparent plastic material or of a fabric such as flannel, and preferably have imprinted thereon the name of the items placed in the pockets beneath it, as illustrated for instance in Fig ure 2.

If made of flannel or other similar fabric, then the marginal edges of the flaps are preferably sewn by a row of overlocking or merrow stitching, so as to bind the edges and to form a finish thereon, as indicated particularly in Figures 2, 3 and 6.

Likewise, if made of flannel or other similar fabric, then the top marginal portions of the walls 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 and 45 are similarly edged or finished with a row of overlocking or merrow stitching as indicated in Figures 3 and 6. The individual items such as butter spreaders 55, teaspoons 56, salad forks 57, soupspoons 58, forks 59, and knives 60, are placed in the pockets in the manner indicated generally in Figures 3 and 4, with the upper ends thereof extending above the top edge of the corresponding pockets; the same number of each of the items being placeable on its corresponding partition and in the corresponding pockets formed by the partitions and the walls.

In the embodiment shown particularly in Figures 7, 7a, 8 and 9, the relatively form-retaining partitions 23, 24,

25, 26 and 27 comprising form-retaining core members such as rectangular transverse cardboard members are also covered either on the front faces thereof, or on both front and back faces thereof, with soft, flexible core-facing fabric, such as tarnish-inhibiting or non-tarnishing flannel or similar fabric or other material, as for instance the linings 61 and 62, thus to form with the walls 40, 42, 43, 44 and 45, fully lined pockets and to eliminate all exposed surfaces other than the flannel or other material intended to contact the silverware. As shown in these figures, the bottom 30' is flat and not gusseted. The sides of partitions 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27 are attached to the side gussets 28 and 29 by lines of stitches 68, leaving the bottoms of the partitions, the lower portion of the sides and bottoms of walls 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 and 45 and the lower portion and bottoms of linings 61 and 62 unattached to the side-gussets and the bottom 30'. If desired, these unattached portions may be attached to the side gussets and bottom in the manner indicated in Figures 4 and 5.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 10, 10a, 11 and 12, the relatively form-retaining panels or partitions are replaced by corresponding wire or other metal or relatively stiff frames 63, 64, 65, 66 and 67, between which are stretched or suspended the pockets formed of the walls 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 and 45, inclusive, and the linings 61 and lines of stitching 46-said frames comprising an upper or transverse bar 69 and depending side portions 70 and 71, and, if desired, bottom portions 72. However, the bottom portions, and indeed also the side portions, may be eliminated and the ends of the upper or transverse portions 69 may be fastened into the folds of the gussets and sewn therein through eyelets formed in the ends of the bar, or having down-turned end portions of the bar sewn into the seams of the gussets, or such transverse bars may be otherwise secured. In this manner, the collapsing or pulling-in of the sides of the case is prevented, when the case is filled with silver flat-ware and yet the bulk of the entire case is reduced by the elimination of the intervening form-retaining partitions 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being bad to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

Having described our invention what we claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is the following:

1. A silver flatware case comprising relatively formretaining front and rear walls and relatively form-retain ing separators intermediate said front and rear walls, said separators being formed of relatively form-retaining core members and a soft flexible core-facing fabric enveloping at least the upper portion and one side of said core member, and a soft flexible pocket-forming fabric affixed to the aforesaid core-facing fabric by vertical lines of attachment to form vertical pockets between such corefacing fabric and said pocket-forming fabric, with the upper edge of such pocket-forming fabric being below the top of the core member, and a case-closing member extending from the upper marginal portion of the rear wall, over the tops of said separators and extending to the front wall, and a closure-fastener intermediate said front wall and said case-closing member.

2. A multi-compartmented silver flatware case comprising relatively form-retaining front and rear walls, gusseted side-walls and a bottom, and relatively formretaining relatively flexible separators intermediate said front and rear walls, said separators being of gradually increasing height from front to rear and being attached at least at their sides to the gusseted side-walls, each of said relatively form-retaining separators having a number of relatively flexible and thin-walled vertical flannel-lined amasspockets supported thereon, each of said pockets terminat; ing at their upper open ends at a point substantially below the top of the separator which gives it support, and a case-closing flap extending from the upper marginal portion of the rear wall down over the tops of said separators and down over and overlapping the lower front wall of the case.

3. A multi-compartmented silver flatware case comprising relatively form-retaining front and rear walls, gusseted side-walls and a gusseted bottom, and relatively form-retaining relatively flexible separators intermediate said front and rear walls, said separators being of gradually increasing height from front to rear and being attached at their sides and bottom to the gusseted side-walls and the gusseted bottom respectively, each" of said relatively form-retaining separators having a number of relatively flexible and thin-walled vertical flannel-lined pockets supported thereon, each of said pockets terminating at their upper open ends at a point substantially below the top of the separator which gives it support, and a case-closing flap extending from the upper marginal portion of the rear Wall down over the tops of said separators and down over and overlapping the lower front wall of the case.

4. A multi-compartmented silver flatware case comprising relatively form-retaining front and rear walls, gusseted side-walls and a bottom, and relatively formretaining relatively flexible separators intermediate said front and rear walls, said separators being of gradually increasing height from front to rear and being attached at least at their sides to the gusseted side-walls, a flannel wall on the fonvard face of each separator and attached thereto by means including spaced vertical lines of attachment to form on each separator a number of vertical pockets, the top of each of the pocket-forming walls on each of said separators terminating at a point substantially below the top of its respective separator, a pocket-overlapping flap extending downwardly from each separator and overlapping the upper marginal portions of the pocket-forming wall of the separator, and a case-closing flap extending from the upper marginal portion of the rear wall down over the top of said separators and down over and overlapping the front wall of the case.

5. A multi-compartmented silver flatware case com prising relatively form-retaining front and rear walls, gusseted side-walls and a bottom, and relatively form retaining relatively flexible separators intermediate said front and rear walls, said separators being of gradually increasing height from front to rear, each of said sep-- arators comprising a relatively form-retaining relatively flexible transverse member attached at least at its sides to the gusseted side-walls with the upper marginal edge of the transverse member at the upper marginal edge of the separator and a lining material attached to said trans verse member covering at least the forward face of the member and extending from the upper marginal edge of the member to the bottom of the case, each of said separators having a number of relatively flexible and thinwalled vertical pockets supported thereon, each of said pockets terminating at their upper ends at a point substantially below the top of the separator which gives it support, and a case-closing flap extending from the upper marginal portion of the rear wall down over the tops of said separators and down over and overlapping the lower front wall of the case.

6. A multi-compartmented silver flatware case comprising relatively form-retaining front and rear walls.

gusseted side-walls and a bottom, and relatively formframe covering at least the forward face of the frame and extending from the upper marginaledge of the frame to the bottom of the case, each of said separators having a number of relatively flexible and thin-walled vertical flannel-lined pockets supported thereon, each of said pockets terminating at their upper open ends at a point substantially below the top of the separator which gives it support, and a case-closing flap extending from the upper marginal portion of the rear wall down over the tops of said separators and down over and overlapping the lower front wall of the case.

7. A multi-compartmented silver flatware case comprising relatively form-retaining front and rear walls, gusseted side-walls and a gusseted bottom, and separators composed of relatively form-retaining relatively flexible material impregnated with silver tarnish inhibiting compounds, said separators being disposed intermediate said front and rear walls and being of gradually increasing height from front to rear and also being attached at their sides and bottom to the gusseted side-walls and the gusseted bottom respectively, a flannel wall on the forward face of each separator composed of relatively flexible material also impregnated with silver tarnish inhibiting compounds and attached to the separator by means including spaced vertical lines of attachment to form on each separator a number of vertical flannel-lined pockets, the top of each of the pocket-forming walls on each of said separators terminating at a point substantially below the top of its respective separator, a pocket overlapping flap extending downwardly from each separator and overlapping the upper marginal portions of the pocket-forming wail of the separator, and a case-closing flap extending from the upper marginal portion of the rear wall down over the top of said separators and down over and overlapping the front wall of the case.

8. A multi-compartmented silver flatware case comprising relatively form-retainingfront and rear walls, gusseted side-walls and a bottom, separators intermediate said front and rear walls of gradually increasing height from front to rear, each of said separators comprising a flat rectangular transverse cardboard member and a fabric lining impregnated with silver tarnish inhibiting material, said cardboard member extending from the upper marginal edge of the separator to a line intermediate the bottom of the case, said lining enveloping the cardboard member and extending in the case from one gusset sidewall to the other and from the upper edge of said memher to the bottom of the case, each of said separators being attached to the gusset side-walls along the vertical edges of the separator corresponding to the vertical edges of the cardboard member, a fabric material wall also impregnated with silver tarnish inhibiting material on the forward face of each separator and attached to the separator by means including spaced vertical lines of attachment to form on each separator a number of vertical pockets, the top of each of the pocket-forming Walls on each of. said separators terminating at a point substantially below the top of its respective separator, a pocketoverlapping flap extending downwardly from each separator and overlapping the upper marginal portions of the pocket-forming wail of the separator, and a case-closing flap extending from the upper marginal portion of the rear wall down over the top of said separators and down over and overlapping the front wall of the case.

9. A multi-compartrnented silver flatware case comprising relatively form-retaining front and rear walls, gusseted side-walls and a bottom, separators intermediate said front and rear Walls of gradually increasing height from front to rear, each of said separators comprising a rectangular metallic frame enveloped by a fabric lining impregnated with silver tarnish inhibiting material, each of said separators extending to the bottom of the case and being attached at their vertical sides to the gusseted side-walls, a fabric material wall also impregnated with silver tarnish inhibiting material attached to each separator by means including spaced vertical lines of attachment to form on each separator 21 number of vertical fiannel-lined pockets, the top of each of the pocket-forming walls on each of said separators terminating at a point substantially below the top of its respective separator, a pocket-overlapping flap extending downwardly from each separator and overlapping the upper marginal portions of the pocket-forming wall of the separator, and a case-closing flap extending from the upper marginal portion of the rear wall dorvnover the top of said separators and down over and overlapping the front wall of the case.

References Cited in the file of this patent 635-,582 1,416.238 152L897 l,552,303 1,565,389 1,679,101 2,0l 1 2,053,630 2,316,328 2,359,372

UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain 2 Aug. 9, 

